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How to build curved fascia ends?

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  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Espoo, Finland
  • 8 posts
How to build curved fascia ends?
Posted by MacAllu on Saturday, November 22, 2008 3:48 AM
Hi everybody! I've found this forum to be a delightful place of finding information and inspiration. The only bad thing is that now I am more and more interested about US&Canadian railroads to model in Z ;) But back to my question, at the moment I am building a modular Zm layout, just begun on the first modul: The problem I am facing is that I want to make end modules with a curved fascia but can not figure out how to curve the plywood for it, any tips? Regards, Albert
Building a small modular layout in Z scale - loosely based on Western Pacific from the Seventies and Eighties.
  • Member since
    June 2008
  • From: central Ohio
  • 478 posts
Posted by tinman1 on Saturday, November 22, 2008 8:26 AM

making a section of plywood to wrap around is not as difficult as you may think, but may also be a bear and a half depending upon the radius of the curve and the height of the fascia. The key is to not try and use plywood, but to make your own from thin layers of veneer and glue/clamp in a slightly tighter curve. If you are going to paint the fascia, then you can use materials that lend themselves well to bending like 1/8 in luan. If you are to stain it, then the outer laminate needs to be of the same material as the rest, but in 1/8 in. The key is to have solid bracing and clamps, glue it well and let it cure before removing the clamps.

Tom "dust is not weathering"
  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,621 posts
Posted by dehusman on Saturday, November 22, 2008 9:08 AM

Don't make it out of plywood, make it out of Masonite with plywood braces behind it.

If you absolutely HAVE to make it out of plywood, cut slots on the inside about 3/4 way through the plywood spaced about 1/2 in apart, that will let you bend the plywood.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: northern nj
  • 2,477 posts
Posted by lvanhen on Saturday, November 22, 2008 10:08 AM

I'm not familar with available lumber in Finland, but in the US, "bendable" plywood is available - usually on special order.  This will allow bending down to a 16" or even smaller radius.  That all said, unless you are going to stain, 1/8" tempered hardboard (Masonite in the US) is much easier to bend, and a lot cheaper.  My My 2 cents

Lou V H Photo by John
  • Member since
    November 2008
  • From: Espoo, Finland
  • 8 posts
Posted by MacAllu on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 12:06 PM
Thanks all for your input! Sounds like it can be done but it is not the easiast procedure to do. I think I'll do some practise bending first with some scrap etc material. BR, Albert
Building a small modular layout in Z scale - loosely based on Western Pacific from the Seventies and Eighties.
  • Member since
    April 2003
  • From: Missouri
  • 369 posts
Posted by MudHen_462 on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:24 PM

MAC...   I used tempered hardboard ( masonite type product) and it worked both for my background panels and the facia.

 Bob/IronGoat 

 

  • Member since
    January 2004
  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Wednesday, November 26, 2008 7:56 PM

Like Bob, I used 1/8" Masonite hardboard (non-tempered, though Wink) for the layout facia and to cove the corners (both inside and outside) of the backdrop.  If the sheet is secured all along the vertical edges, the curve will be self-supporting and requires no other bracing.


Wayne 

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